Over time, Uganda has efficiently responded to public well being emergencies together with Ebola, COVID-19, measles, anthrax, and others. This has been partly attributed to robust management and early fast execution of outbreak response methods.

In a major transfer to strengthen the nation’s potential to fight infectious illnesses, the World Well being Group (WHO) has launched the AVoHC-SURGE coaching for 100 emergency responders in Uganda.  AVoHC is a reference to Africa CDC’s African Volunteer Well being Corps initiative whereas SURGE is a reference to WHO’s initiative, on Strengthening and Using Response Teams for Emergencies.

This intensive coaching, funded by the UK Authorities, kicked off on August 5, 2024, and can run till 24 September 2024. This system blends in-person and digital studying, providing a complete curriculum that features public well being emergency operations, humanitarian coordination, gender-based violence response, and fast response crew deployment.

AVoHC-SURGE, a collaboration between WHO and Africa CDC, is a part of a broader initiative to boost well being safety throughout Africa. The AvoHC-SURGE coaching is a part of the SURGE part of the emergency preparedness and response flagships which embody Selling resilient programs for emergencies (PROSE), Reworking Africa surveillance system (TASS) and Strengthening & Using Response Teams for Emergencies (SURGE). The flagships had been launched by WHO Africa regional workplace in 2022 to handle the continent’s pressing want for strong emergency preparedness and response within the African area. Subsequently, WHO and Africa CDC joined forces to collectively develop the AVoHC-SURGE roster.

Uganda now joins 20 different African nations which have initiated the AVoHC-SURGE coaching which equips responders to sort out crises inside their very own borders and throughout the African area. Members, drawn from WHO member states, civil society, and volunteer organizations, might be on the forefront of nationwide and regional emergency responses, backed by WHO and Africa CDC. The general aim of the coaching is to construct a resilient nationwide well being system able to responding swiftly and successfully to public well being emergencies.

“The globalized, interconnected world we dwell in amplifies the dangers of infectious illnesses and different emergencies. A skilled and prepared nationwide workforce is our first line of protection,” mentioned Dr. Daniel Kyabayinze, Uganda’s Director of Public Well being, Ministry of Well being.

This coaching not solely fortifies Uganda’s current emergency response infrastructure but additionally ensures a gentle provide of expert personnel at each nationwide and sub-national ranges. It reinforces the management of nationwide governments and enhances the resilience of well being programs, enabling them to reply swiftly and successfully to public well being threats.

This is a chance for Uganda to strengthen current constructions to reply extra effectively and successfully to crises and public well being emergencies, restrict interruption of important well being companies, decrease socio-economic disruptions and contribute to enhancing international well being safety,” mentioned Dr. Christine Musanhu Chiedza, WHO Consultant in Uganda, OIC.

This system is led by subject material specialists from WHO, Africa CDC, and WAHO. The specialists have over 10 years of experiences of their space and area of facilitation. “All facilitators have accomplished numerous programs and are licensed,” mentioned Mukeh Kenneth Fahnbulleh, the lead facilitator and coach.

With over 100 main public well being occasions occurring yearly within the African area, the necessity for a prepared and succesful workforce has by no means been extra urgent. Latest emergencies have highlighted the pressing want for a workforce inside the WHO African area, that’s prepared, keen, and in a position to function, in more and more difficult environments. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the significance of being ready, and Uganda is taking proactive steps to make sure it could meet future challenges head-on.

Supported by WHO, Uganda is embracing a multidisciplinary One Well being strategy that promotes the well-being of individuals, animals, and the atmosphere. This strategy ensures that when crises strike, Uganda could have a extremely skilled workforce prepared to reply and defend the well being of its residents and people in African area.